Lamp



April 4, 1939. s. F. ARBUCKLE ET AL I LAMP Filed July 25, 1955 4Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS 1' Sm ue/F 17115 oc/f/e. BY Gar/if. (bu/fez?ATTORNEYfi April 4, 1939-.

s. F. ARBUCKLE ET AL 5 ,334

LAMP

Filed July 25, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTO Fl? fickle. gu/fu/fen'ATTORNEY5 LAMP Filed July 25, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 QRNEYS April 1939-s. F. ARBUCKLE' ET AL 2,152,834

LAMP

Filed July 25, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 P1257 54. v I ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LAMP DelawareApplication July 25, 1935, Serial No. 33,121

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in lamps and particularly to animproved arrangement of headlamp construction for automotive vehicles.

' The invention relates to an arrangement of lamp casing and lensconstruction wherein the opening of the lamp casing is entirely closedsolely by the lens.

a The invention embraces the formation of a headlamp casing of anintegral construction and a particular lens arrangement which is ofsimple construction and readily assembled with the headlamp casing toprovide a substantially closed arrangement wherein the lens forms thesole cover for the opening of the casing.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a headlampconstruction wherein the lens is of particular configuration to beassembled within and retained as a front cover for headlamp casing ofintegral construction and wherein a seal is resiliently effected for therefiector.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a lamp of thischaracter wherein the lens is formed with retaining means so thatassembly and disassembly may be made without the use of special tools.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a lens of acharacter for completely enclosing the forward portion of a lamp casingand which is integrally formed with retaining means of a character whichwill properly locate the lens with respect to the lamp casing.

Another object is the provision of a headlamp construction wherein thelens forms the sole cover for the opening in the lamp casing wherebyrims and special tools and retaining devices have been entirelyeliminated and the assembly of the lamp greatly facilitated andsimplified.

( Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this inventionsuch as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the relatedelements of the structure, to various details of construction and tocombinations of parts, ele- {5' ments per se, and to economies ofmanufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from aconsideration of the specification and drawings of a form of theinvention, which may be preferred, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a headlamp of our invention;

'Figure 2 is a side elevational View partly in section showing a form ofinvention of retaining the lens within the integrally formed casing;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing a form ofmeans for resiliently re taining the reflector within the headlampcasing and of effecting a seal between the lens and reflectorconstruction;

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the 5 lens per se as illustratedin the assembly view of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through thelens taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4; In

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through thelens taken on the line B--6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through thelens taken on the 15 line 'l'| of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view showing one form of retainingmeans for the lens in the headlamp casing;

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical 20 sectional view showingthe form of lens retaining means illustrated in Figure 8, this viewbeing taken on the line 9--9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 8 showing a lens retaining meansin retracted position; 25

Figure 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantiallyon the line ll--ll of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is an isometric view of a particular form of lens retainingmeans forming an ele- 30 ment of our invention;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary elevational View showing another form of lensretaining means of our invention;

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary detail 35 sectional view takensubstantially on the line M-M of Figure 13.

Figure 14a, is a view similar to Figure 13 showing still another form oflens retaining means of our invention;

Figure 14b is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially onthe line l4b-l4b of Figure 14a;

Figure 15 is a front elevational view of a headlamp of our inventionwherein a lens retaining means is positioned at the lower portion of theheadlamp;

Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyon the line "5-46 of Figure 15; 5

Figure 1'7 is a partial vertical sectional view, the section being takensubstantially on the line ll-ll of Figure 16;

Figure 18 is an isometric view of a lens retaining element of ourinvention;

7 an outer casing or housing It.

Figure 19 is an enlarged fragmentary detail View showing the method ofassembly of the lens retaining means of Figure 18 of our invention;

Figure 19a is a detail sectional View taken on the line l9a-l9a ofFigure 19;

Figure 20 is a front elevational view of still a further form of theinvention wherein the lens is retained within the headlamp casing bymeans of particular lens configuration;

Figure 21 is a substantially Vertical sectional View taken substantiallyon the line 2I2l of Figure 26;

Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 21 showing the method ofassembling the lens and associated parts of the headlamp;

Figure 23 is a front elevational view of a lens illustrated in Figure22;

Figure 24 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyon the line 2t-2 l of Figure 23;

Figure 25 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyon the line 25-25 of Figure 23.

Though the invention has been illustrated as incorporated for use invehicle headlamp constructions, it is to be understood that its use iscontemplated in all types of lamps or light projecting apparatus andwherever the same may be found to have utility.

Referring to the drawings and particularly Figures 1 to 3 thereof, thestructure illustrated as incorporating a form of the invention is shownas a headlamp or light projecting apparatus suitable for use onautomotive vehicles, and includes The casing ill is formed at its openend with an inturned flange I2 preferably provided with a notch orrecess I5. The flange l2 serves to support a lens or light emittingclosure M, providing in the embodiment illustrated the sole means toenclose the open end of the casing ill. The lens or closure M is securedin position by a looking or retaining member l5 preferably locatedsubstantially opposite the notch I5 and adjacent the top of the casing.Interiorly of the casing Ill is secured a support l8 of annularformation pro vided with an inwardly directed flange portion 20 servingto support the retaining member l6 and a reflector or light projectingmeans 22.

The reflector 22 is provided with a radial projection or flange 2 havinga groove 26 to receive a suitable gasket or sealing means 28 of cork orother sealing material. The groove portion 26 is provided with aplurality of spaced openings 30 adapted to receive reflector positioningelements or screws 32 having enlarged end portions 34 adapted to havethreaded engagement with openings 35 in the flange 2! during assembly,the end portions 3% serving as stops upon being projected through theopenings 36. The unthreaded portions of screws 32 are surrounded byexpansive springs 38 the extremities of which contact with the flanges28 and 24 tending to separate the flanges and resiliently hold thereflector 22 in spaced relation with respect to the support 58. Arrangedin the reflector 22 are lamps lil and 42 provided with suitable lightsources or filaments (not shown).

The lens M as illustrated is provided with a smooth convex exteriorsurface and a concave interior surface having horizontalprisms 4 6, butit is to be understood that other types of lenses having different prismarrangement may be used. As particularly illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and'7, the lower portion of the lens I4 is provided with an extension orprojecting flange 45, the forward surface of which is engageable withthe inturned flange l2 of the casing it. A positioning lug or tongue 48is provided in the lens adjacent its lower edge adapted to engage therecess i5 in the edge of the casing ill. The upper edge of lens M isprovided with recessed portion ll as illustrated in Figure 5. The recessii is preferably formed with a horizontally disposed groove l9 and notch2i. The edge portion of the lens adjacent the recess I? has a secondnotch or recess 23 to properly position the lens in the lamp and tofacilitate installation or removal thereof as will hereinafter appear.An annular wall or extension i5 is provided on the inner surface of thelens M to engage with gasket 28 to seal the reflector 22 from ingress ofmoisture and other foreign matter.

The movable lens retaining member It includes a body portion of arcuateconfiguration adapted for sliding engagement with the interior surfaceof flange l2 on the lamp casing, a pair of in turned lugs 25 beingprovided adjacent a projection 27 at one end of the member l6 adapted torespectively engage the groove l9 and slot 2! of the lens I i. The otherend of member it is provided with an angularly disposed portion 29formed with a struckup projection 3!. A guide member 33 is riveted orotherwise secured at one end to the portion 29, the other end of member33 projecting through an opening 35 in the ring member l3. The member itis resiliently urged into engagement with the lens Hi by means of aspring 31 surrounding the guide member 33, the ends of the spring beingengageable with projection 29 and ring member i8, projection 3| servingto properly position the spring 3'! with respect to the guide member 35.Means such as a cotter key 39 may be secured in the end of guide member33 to limit its outward movement and thus prevent dislodgement of theretaining member it when the lens is removed from the lamp casing.

In order to remove the lens M from the easing Ill, the retaining memberIE is moved upwardly from the position shown in Figure 8 to.

the position illustrated in Figure 10 and this operation, while same maybe performed by moving the member i6 by a finger, the same is readilyaccomplished by inserting a suitable instrument or tool in the openingit in the member. Due to the expansive characteristics of the uppermostspring 38, the lens is forced outwardly beyond the edge of the casingwhen member N5 is retracted thus permitting removal of the lens byraising the same to free the flange 46 from the casing flange. The lensM is installed by first positioning the lens projection 46 rearwardly ofedge E2 of the lamp casing so that the lug 38 engages the recess E5. Theupper portion of the lens is then moved rearwardly so that the wallengages gasket 28 to move the reflector 22 rearwardly against thepressure of springs 38. Retaining member i6 is held in its uppermostposition until lens H5 is in proper position, at which time member I6 ismoved into engagement with the lens recess ll under the force of spring31 so that the lips 25 of the retaining member U5 engage the groove E9in the forward face of the lens.

Another form of lens retaining means is illustrated in Figures 13 and14. In this form of the invention a knurled knob 50 having a stemportion 52 is secured to retaining member 54 in a suitable manner as at53. To accommodate the stem 52 and permit relative slidable movementbetween the retaining member and the housing, a slot 56 is provided inthe wall of casing I adjacent the open end I2. A cover 58 preferablycarried by the stem 52 so as to be movable with knob 50 is provided toprevent the ingress of moisture and foreign matter through the slot 56.Thus, it will be noted that by the use of the knurled member 50, easyand effective manipulation of the retaining member 54 is provided,without necessitating the use of special tools, the installation andremoval of the lens I4 being otherwise similar to the form of theinvention hereinbefore described. In Figures 14a and 1417, another formof lens retaining member is illustrated wherein the lower portion ofretaining member 60 is substantially V-shaped, the central portion beingrecessed as at 62. To accommodate the recessed portion 62, lens I4 isformed with a similarly recessed portion 64. To manipulate the retainingmember 60, a knurled member 66 may be secured thereto in the mannerillustrated in Figures 13 and 14, a slot 68 being provided in the casingI0 to permit 5.;movement between the member 60 and the casing. A cover69 is preferably positioned over the slot 68 and movable with the member66 to at all times cover the slot 68.

A further form of the invention has been illus- 3llgtrated in Figures 15to 19 inclusive, wherein the casing Ill is provided with an open end I2.In this form of the invention, a reflector and lens positioning memberin the form of a ring "I0 is flxed within the casing adjacent the openend I2. 35 1A reflector I2 provided with a flange portion '13terminating in an annular extension I4 is received within the openingprovided by the ring H1. The flange I3 serves to position a gasketmember 15 of cork or other suitable material for 4ozneffectively sealingthe reflector from moisture when a lens 78 is properly positioned withinthe casing. To the rear of the flange I3are suitably secured a pluralityof spaced mounting elements I6 to which are secured, as by riveting,resilient 45tor spring members 11. The extremities of the spring membersI! are engageable with the ring HI and tend to yieldingly position thereflector 12 with respect to the ring. The lens 18 of any desired typeis preferably provided with a pro- 5o ejection l9 along its upper edge.The rear surface of lens I8 is formed with an annular ledge or extensionBI] which is adapted to engage the gasket I5. In the front surface oflens 18 and preferably adjacent the lower edge thereof is pro- 55 videdan annular recessed portion 82.

To removably secure lens I8 in the casing, a retaining member or clip84, illustrated in detail in Figure 18, is provided. Clip 84 is formedwith a uniplanar body portion 85 terminating in a stepped portion 86having a lip 81 disposed angularly with respect thereto. To accommodatethe clip 84 and to guide the same during its movement with respect tothe casing, a slotted open- 65 ing 89 is provided in the ring 10. Theclip 84 is of a width to correspond to the length of the recess 82 inthe lens I8 and the slot 89 in the ring 10, the side walls of the slot89 having projecting angularly disposed portions 90 to facili- 70 tateor guide the entrance of clip 84 into the slot.

To install the lens I8 in the open end of a oasing IE, the upper edge ofthe lens is inserted thin the casing so that the projection 19 thereofengages the inner wall of the casing Ill. The

75 lower portion of the lens is then moved into contact with the gasketI5 against the tension of springs I'I until the several elements aresubstantially in the position illustrated in full lines in Figure 19.The clip 84 is then placed in the position illustrated in full lines sothat the uniplanar portion 85 may be projected through the opening 89 inthe ring 10. The clip 84 is then moved to the position indicated indotted lines in Figure 19 and the tension of springs 'I'I then force thereflector and thus the lower portion of the lens outwardly until thelower edge of the lens is in engagement with the stepped portion 86 ofthe clip, thus retaining the lens and associated parts in position inthe casing. To remove the lens from the casing, the lower portion of thelens 18 is forced inwardly and the clip 84 raised upwardly and withdrawnfrom the casing. The removal of the clip 84 from the casing permitswithdrawal of the lens from the open end of the casing, the springmembers TI forcing the reflector l2 and thus lens '18 outwardly alongits lower edge to facilitate the latters removal.

A still further form of the invention is illustrated in'Figures 20 toinclusive, wherein casing I0 is provided with an open end I2 having anotch or recess 99 in the lower edge thereof. Adjacent the open end ofthe casing is secured a ring-like member I09 forming an opening toreceive a reflector I02. Reflector I02 is provided with a flange portionI93 which terminates in an annular portion I34, the flange I03 servingto position a sealing gasket I05. Between the ring member I00 and theflange I03 in assembled relation are positioned a plurality of resilientmembers or springs I 06 preferably of the expansive typev The springsI06 serve to resiliently mount the reflector I02 andalso hold thereflector in spaced relation with respect to the ring IIIIl.

To enclose the open end of the casing 50, a lens III] is provided whichis preferably formed with peripheral projections or extensions III and II2 on the upper and lower edges respectively. At the lower front edge oflens III] is formed a projection H4 engageable with the recess 99 in thecasing when the lens is positioned therein.

To install lens III! within the casing, the projection 'I I Iispreferably inserted within the casing so that the front surface of thelens engages the open end I2 of the casing, to permit the projection II2to be swung inwardly against the tension of the lowermost spring I06 andat the same time clear the lower edge of the casing. The lens is thenmoved downwardly until projection II4 engages the recess 99, at whichtime the peripheral projections III and II 2 are in engagement with thesurface of the in-turned flange of the open end of the casing. SpringsI06 exert suificient' force upon the reflector flange I03 and the lensto securely and positively hold the lens in position. To remove the lensfrom the casing, the upper pait of the lens is moved rearwardly' andthen upwardly against the tension of spring I06 to permit the lowerportion of the lens and projection H2 to be swung outwardly. The lens isthen moved downwardly until projection III is free from the upper edgeof the casing. The gasket I95 seals the space between the lens and thereflector when the several elements are in assembled relation. However,due to construction of the lens which permits its withdrawal andinstallation within the casing, a slight clearance is necessary and acertain amount of moisture may collect between the casing and theexterior of the reflector. If desired, an opening H6 may be provided inthe lower portion of the casing to permit moisture which may collectwithin the casing to drain therefrom.

It is apparent that, Within the scope of the invention, modificationsand different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed,and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the inventioncomprehending all variations thereof.

What We claim is:

l. A lamp comprising a casing having an inturned circular flangeintegrally formed at its open end, a reflector Within said casing, alens of a diameter which substantially corresponds to the diameter oftheinner edge of said circular flange engageable with said reflector andhaving a projection underlying said casing flange, a retaining elementengageable with said lens to secure the lens in said casing, means tourge said lens into engagement with said casing, and means to form aseal between said lens and said reflector.

2. A lamp comprising a casing having an inturned annular flangeintegrally formed at its a open end, a lens having a major peripheralportion fitting said open end and having a projection underlying saidflange whereby said lens may be inserted within and removed from saidcasing without distortion thereof, a recess in said lens, and retainingmeans engageable with said recess for securing the lens adjacent saidflange.

3. A lamp comprising a casing having an inturned continuous annularflange integrally formed at its open end, a lens formed with aperipheral contour fitting said open end and having a projectionunderlying said flange, means within said casing to urge said projectioninto engagement with said flange, and a retaining element having aportion exterior of said casing for removably securing said lens in saidcasing.

4. A lamp comprising a casing having an inturned continuous annularflange at its open end, locating means on said flange for positioning alens, a lens fitting said open end and having a projection underlyingsaid flange, a second projection on said lens engageable with saidlocating means, and retaining means adapted to be manipulated from theoutside of said casing and engageable with a portion of said lens forsecuring the lens adjacent said flange.

5. A lamp comprising a casing having a flange at its open end, a lensfitting said open end and having a projection underlying said flange,retaining means engageable with a portion of said lens for securing thelens adjacent said flange, and a manipulating member secured to saidretaining means.

6. A lamp comprising a casing having a flanged open end, a reflectorwithin said casing, a lens engageable with said reflector and having aprojection underlying said flanged end, a recess in said lens, aremovable retaining element engageable with the recess in said lens tosecure the lens in said casing, and means to urge said lens intoengagement with said retaining element and said casing.

7. A lamp comprising a casing having an inturned open end, a reflectorwithin said casing, a support for said reflector, a lens engageable withsaid reflector and having a projection underlying said inturned openend, retaining means engageable with said lens to secure the lens insaid casing, resilient means between said reflector and said support tourge said lens into engagement with said casing, and sealing meansbetween said lens and said reflector.

8; A headlamp comprising a housing having a lens receiving opening, anda lens fitting in the aperture in the housing, and provided at one sidewith means for interlocking with the housing to prevent axial separationthereof, and means at the other side of the lamp engaging an indenturein the lens for drawing the lens toward the housing and into clampingengagement therewith.

9. A headlamp comprising a housing having a lens receiving opening, aring within the housing, a lens provided at one side thereof with meansfor interlocking with the edge of the opening to prevent axialseparation of the lens and housing, means at the other side of the lensengaging an indenture therein for drawing the lens toward the housingand into clamping engagement therewith and means associated with saidring for resiliently urging the lens into engagement with the housing.

SAMUEL F. ARBUCKLE. GUY H. COULTER.

